Story Quilts with Unhoused Communities
In workshops, people experiencing homelessness made drawings and crafted textile panels to self-represent, tell the story of temporary community, or process their experience. These elements then became the basis for a series of story quilts in support of housing rights.
In 2020, the pandemic shut down homeless shelters and Feral Fabric shifted to a new model of distributing Sew & Mend DIY Kits. Made using donated and upcycled fabrics, the kits contained everything recipients needed to craft a textile project during this period of isolation, and doubled as tools to repair clothes, tents, or anything else made of fabric. The kits were distributed through 2022.
The Story Quilt project’s final exhibition of quilt tops and related work was shown in the windows of Pro Arts Gallery in downtown Oakland, which at the time was also functioning as a covid testing center.
Feral Fabric
2020-2022
In 2020, the pandemic shut down homeless shelters and Feral Fabric shifted to a new model of distributing Sew & Mend DIY Kits. Made using donated and upcycled fabrics, the kits contained everything recipients needed to craft a textile project during this period of isolation, and doubled as tools to repair clothes, tents, or anything else made of fabric. The kits were distributed through 2022.
The Story Quilt project’s final exhibition of quilt tops and related work was shown in the windows of Pro Arts Gallery in downtown Oakland, which at the time was also functioning as a covid testing center.
Feral Fabric
2020-2022
1. Unititled (Story Quilt 1). South County Homeless Project, Hayward. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media. Approx 305 x 366 cm (10 x 12’)
2. Unititled (Story Quilt 2). Here/There Camp, Berkeley / Oakland. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media.Approx 62 x 90 cm (24 x 36”)
3. Unititled (Story Quilt 3). Women’s Daily Drop-In Center, Berkeley. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media. Approx 60 x 60 cm (24 x 24”)
4-5, 9-10. Workshop documentation
6. In Solidarity banner
7. Untitled (Tarp). Feral Fabric 2022. Industrial tarp. 305 x 366 cm (10 x 12’)
8. Kit distribution in Oakland 2021. Hosted by partner Punks with Lunch.
11-13. Installation at ProArts Gallery, Oakland (detail, nterior & exterior view)
14. Workshop Flyer
15. Drawing made by a participant at South County Homeless Project, Hayward
16. Workshop announcement at WDDC
17-20. Sew & Mend DIY Kit. Kits contained a mix of fabrics, sewing materials, glue, and sew/mend instructions
21. The kits included a large (approx 14” square) screen printed patch advocating for housing rights
2. Unititled (Story Quilt 2). Here/There Camp, Berkeley / Oakland. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media.Approx 62 x 90 cm (24 x 36”)
3. Unititled (Story Quilt 3). Women’s Daily Drop-In Center, Berkeley. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media. Approx 60 x 60 cm (24 x 24”)
4-5, 9-10. Workshop documentation
6. In Solidarity banner
7. Untitled (Tarp). Feral Fabric 2022. Industrial tarp. 305 x 366 cm (10 x 12’)
8. Kit distribution in Oakland 2021. Hosted by partner Punks with Lunch.
11-13. Installation at ProArts Gallery, Oakland (detail, nterior & exterior view)
14. Workshop Flyer
15. Drawing made by a participant at South County Homeless Project, Hayward
16. Workshop announcement at WDDC
17-20. Sew & Mend DIY Kit. Kits contained a mix of fabrics, sewing materials, glue, and sew/mend instructions
21. The kits included a large (approx 14” square) screen printed patch advocating for housing rights
Project partners:
Womens Daytime Drop-In Center Berkeley, South Country Homeless Project Hayward, Here/There Camp Berkeley.
Distribution partners: West Oakland Punks with Lunch, The Village Free Store, Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency Family Homeless Shelter in Berkeley, and Raphael House Family Homeless Shelter, San Francisco.
Sewing Volunteers: Maureen O’Neill, Morgan Baxter, and Rosemary Sallee.
Material donations: Social Justice Sewing Academy.
This work was made possible with the generous support of crowd-funded donations alongside an Artist Grant from the City of Berkeley
Womens Daytime Drop-In Center Berkeley, South Country Homeless Project Hayward, Here/There Camp Berkeley.
Distribution partners: West Oakland Punks with Lunch, The Village Free Store, Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency Family Homeless Shelter in Berkeley, and Raphael House Family Homeless Shelter, San Francisco.
Sewing Volunteers: Maureen O’Neill, Morgan Baxter, and Rosemary Sallee.
Material donations: Social Justice Sewing Academy.
This work was made possible with the generous support of crowd-funded donations alongside an Artist Grant from the City of Berkeley